U.S. - Turkey's purchase of Russia air defence system 'disappointing'

FILE PHOTO: Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination in Washington, U.S. July 16, 2019. REUTERS/Erin Scott - Copyright ERIN SCOTT(Reuters)

By Reuters

Published on 16/07/2019 - 17:32•Updated 09/05/2024 - 02:39

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to become the next secretary of defence called Turkey's decision to buy Russia's S-400 air defence system "disappointing," in remarks that break days of administration silence about the move by the NATO ally.

"They have been a long standing and very capable NATO ally, but their decision on the S-400 is the wrong one and it is disappointing," said Army Secretary Mark Esper, testifying on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.